What is Spousal Support?

Spousal support, or alimony, is a flexible payment plan that courts will allot to certain divorced individuals so that they may be able to maintain the same standard of living that they maintained before their divorce. This is most common when one spouse makes significantly more or less than the other spouse. The exact terms of spousal support are often the result of lengthy legal proceedings. Child support, another financial tool of divorce, will be considered when determining the amount of spousal support that a former spouse will be obligated to pay. When a judge announces the amount of alimony, they will also announce the length of time for which the alimony will be paid.

When Alimony Payments Would End

Spousal support payments are made until a specific time in the future that a court judge will prescribe. However, there are a number of events that would affect the time period this judgement lasts, including the following:

Former spouse remarries

Your child no longer needs a full-time parent at home

A judge determines a former spouse has not made sufficient effort to become self-supporting within a reasonable amount of time

A significant event, such as retirement or disability, occurs

One of the divorced individuals dies

Alimony is a financial tool for divorced couples and is meant to benefit both parties. Courts do their best to be fair in order to support the less financially stable individual while not withdrawing unnecessary funds from the more financially well-off former spouse.

Contact a Lewisville Alimony Attorney

While alimony is awarded by the court, a former spouse may refuse to pay the allotted amount. If your spouse is not paying needed spousal support, or if you need help with the overall divorce process, the Lewisville alimony attorneys at Alexander & Associates may help you pursue compensation. Please call (972) 420-6560 today to speak with an experienced member of our Lewisville legal team about your specific case.